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Post by colchar on Apr 14, 2010 19:39:21 GMT -5
I ended up getting regular Slinkys and really like them - the sound is fuller and they feel almost the exact same as the Super Slinkys did.
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Post by colchar on Apr 14, 2010 19:36:33 GMT -5
These are superficial that show up mainly because of the reflectiveness of the finish.
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Post by colchar on Apr 13, 2010 15:09:30 GMT -5
There are some rather minor surface scratches on my guitar - in the finish only, none of them go down to the wood or anything. Most of these were there when I bought it from the store and one that magically appeared after having it in the store yesterday to be restrung and adjusted.
Despite them being minor, I would like to remove these if I can and was wondering if anyone could tell me how to do so? Are there products that I can buy for the purpose (something akin to wax or whatever)? If so, can anyone recommend good ones?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 20:32:49 GMT -5
Further to my previous post:
I found an article about strings in an old Guitar Player magazine which said that "[w]hile pure nickel strings exhibit a wonderful warmth and nuanced richness when you are playing with clean tones, those virtues are quickly compromised as you crank up the gain . . ." Although I am not one to crank the gain to ridiculous levels I do use it so I think that, for now, I will just go with the regular Ernie Ball Slinkys and will leave trying the pure nickel ones to another time.
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 19:54:11 GMT -5
My Luthier says as a a rule of thumb - strats / tele types 9s, Les Pauls / SG types 10s Hmmm, that makes a lot of sense especially when you consider the individual qualities of those guitars. That's a great rule of thumb to keep in mind - thanks for that. More tone is what I'm looking for so I think I will try out some 10s (particularly since I'm having a warranty repair job done tomorrow so neither that, the strings, nor any set-up that might be required will cost me a dime - if it turns out I don't like 10s I won't have wasted any of my own money on them!). As much as I love the feel of the Ernie Ball Super Slinkys one of my big issues with them is that the B and the E strings seem to sound a little bit brittle (I'm not sure that is the correct term but it is the best one I can think of at the moment). I think switching to 10s will remedy that a bit. My fingers may not be used to the thicker bass strings but that will come in time so no big worries there. I think I'll forget about Rotosound strings for now and will stick with the Ernie Balls. I guess the only decision left is whether or not I should try their Classic Rock N Roll strings as they are pure nickel. If switching to 10s gets me some more tone and, more importantly, a less brittle sound then I'm thinking that switching to their Classic Rock N Roll 10s might complete the job and give me exactly what I am looking for. Or maybe I'll just go with regular Slinkys to see how they feel/sound and will leave trying the Classic R N R strings to another time (ie. take two small steps rather than one larger step). Decisions, decisions...
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 16:16:11 GMT -5
My apologies, I should have mentioned that I am playing an Epiphone G-400 SG so I don't have to worry about a trem system or anything like that.
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 16:11:31 GMT -5
There is a minor problem with the nut on my new guitar so, because it is still under warranty, I am having it fixed at the store from which I bought it. If I decided to change gauge it would be simple enough to tell them to do a set-up while replacing the nut and putting on new strings. For all I know, they might have to do a set-up anyway once the nut is replaced.
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 15:53:05 GMT -5
As a new guitarist I am still figuring out which strings suit me best. I have considered going to .10s but figure I would be best served by sticking with .9s for now as they are supposed to be easier to play (if I am incorrect in that assumption please let me know). I have tried Boomers and didn't like them much. I have mainly used Ernie Ball Super Slinkys and really like them as they feel great, etc. I am currently considering trying Rotosound Pinks just to see what they are like. But before I make the change, I wanted to pick the brains of more experienced guitarists.
Does anyone here have any experience with them? If so, would you mind giving me a mini-review? And can anyone who has played both offer a comparison to Super Slinkys?
Finally, I have only used wound strings but am wondering about pure nickel strings. I understand they are supposed to give off a more 'full' sound but can anyone here tell me anything about them in comparison to wound strings?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by colchar on Apr 10, 2010 22:49:08 GMT -5
I'm Scottish but cannot stand Scotch - I just cannot stomach the stuff. But I do love rye. A lot. Maybe a bit too much.
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Post by colchar on Apr 9, 2010 17:45:15 GMT -5
I hardly mess around with the settings on it now I've found a sound I like and to be honest don't give the amp a lot of thought. That's the most important thing isn't it? Finding a tone/sound that you personally like is what its all about! Really cool that you've found one that you are happy with right now. That's awesome and matters - a lot. I find that the more you like your guitar and like your amp/sound/tone/whatever the more likely you are to pick it up and play and thus improve. I'm at the same stage as you and would be stuck in a rut were it not for a recent purchase of a new guitar. I absolutely love my new one and cannot put it down (there is a thread about on the board somewhere). I find that loving my guitar makes me more willing to practice than I would otherwise be and even when I am feeling frustrated and like I am making no progress I still want to pick it up and play. An attitude like that can only help my development as a player and yours (getting a pleasant kick whenever you pick it up) will serve you well too. I am not anywhere near a decent level of playing yet but, as I mentioned above, liking your tone/sound/whatever plays a big role in, as someone mentioned earlier in the thread, getting your juices going so I figure I might as well start getting better equipment now so that I can grow into it and so that it inspires me to play and learn.
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Post by colchar on Apr 9, 2010 13:53:54 GMT -5
Well this seems to be a bigger decision than I had originally anticipated - thanks to all those with more experience for their opinions as they will definitely help me to make a more informed decision than I would have made by myself. So it looks like the first thing I have to do is to get a new amp. I will check the models recommended here but will also see what I might be able to find from Marshall as I have always loved them and would prefer, if possible, to buy another Marshall. Maybe I'll have to buy used instead of new as I expect that Marshall tube amps will be rather expensive. Maybe I'll look at any hybrid amps Marshall makes so that I can pay a little less but still get a higher quality amp. If I can't find a Marshall in my price range (as a poor grad student that range isn't exactly huge ) I will buy one of the other amps recommended here. As for effects, I think I will buy a multi-effect unit so that I can play around with it in order to discover which effects I like and will use. They can usually be found fairly cheap on Craigslist, ebay, etc. so it shouldn't cost me too much money. Once I've figured out which effects I like and will use, I will get rid of the multi-effects unit and will buy individual pedals. Thanks again to everyone for their advice - and further comments/advice are always welcome!
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Post by colchar on Apr 8, 2010 18:25:50 GMT -5
You have to get a tube amp!!! Just because you are a hobyist doesn't mean you can't appreciate the sound of a great guitar through a REAL tube amp. Don't sell yourself short, you deserve the best get a tube amp and turn it up to 11. Price would be an issue there!
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Post by colchar on Apr 8, 2010 16:04:33 GMT -5
Before I start let me say that I have only recently started playing guitar again after years away from the instrument and play simply for pleasure – I will never be anything more than a hobbyist. I currently play an Epiphone G-400 SG through a Marshal MG15 amp but, as my playing improves, I expect that I will want to add some effects (not many, just basic stuff like reverb, etc.).
My question is this – should I buy pedals to add effects or should I return my amp and buy one with built-in effects?
As I will only ever be a hobbyist there is no need for me to buy a tube amp - I would buy either the Marshall MG15FX or the Marshall MG30FX as I figure it will be cheaper to return my amp and buy a new one. However, if I can find decent but inexpensive effects pedals that give me what I want then I will buy them and keep my current amp.
Recommendations/suggestions from more experienced players would be appreciated.
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Post by colchar on Apr 3, 2010 15:00:58 GMT -5
I am learning to play guitar and am having one major problem - I cannot seem to consistently pick the correct strings. This isn't a problem when playing open chords but when playing just a couple of strings (such as when trying to play the opening riff to either Smoke on the Water or Photograph) or a power chord I often find myself missing one of the strings with my pick or plunking them badly.
Does anyone here have any advice on how to improve my picking?
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Post by colchar on Apr 2, 2010 15:38:59 GMT -5
As a Scot myself, I can easily see that happening. And I do mean easily.
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